Kenneth Rijock

Friday, November 18, 2016

The fugitive Dutch fraudster, Okke Ornstein, who owes the Republic of Panama several years in prison, due to three outstanding convictions, was detained upon arrival from Europe, and transferred directly to prison, to begin serving his three consecutive sentences. He fled Panama last year, to avoid imprisonment, after exhausting what were considered to be frivolous appeals, all of which were futile. One of his victims actually pursued him to the Netherlands, where he prevailed in a civil action.

Ornstein, who sustained yet another criminal conviction in the Netherlands, has an unpaid $5m civil judgment, and is the prime suspect in an unsolved murder that took place in Panama City, as well as a number of other financial crimes, and the production of child pornography.

As if his problems weren't serious enough, he was the general manager of Marc Harris' Ponzi schemes, and reportedly received immunity, for testifying against Harris; he allegedly stole a substantial sum from Harris, who was released from Federal Prison in August, and is understood to be seeking the return of his money. Ornstein is also said to be wanted by Hamas, the designated global terrorist group, for diverting aid money collected for Palestinian victims in Syria, and putting in into his own pocket.

Over the last six years, we have extensively covered Ornstein's financial crime activities in Panama; as well as his criminal cases. Readers who wish to review them may access this information by entering his name in the search boxes that appear at the extreme top left, and right-hand middle areas of this page.